There is another option closer to home than might have been imagined and comes with a quality made guarantee.

What Andrew Lees and his workforce don’t know about the upholstery business hasn’t been thought of yet.

The former St John’s College of Building student went self-employed at the age of 20 and now overseas a 10-strong work-force, including son Robert, a full order book, first rate reputation and realistic expansion plans.

Not bad for a former Mossley born and raised Saturday boy, son of an upholstery machinist.

“I guess I was always destined for a career in the business,” said the friendly and personable head of Andrew Lees Upholstery.

“One of the companies mum worked for took me on when I left school. So, it’s always been in the blood.

“I started as a one-man band at Woodend Mill on Manchester Road, worked from a garage at home, had other premises in Mossley and Springhead before moving to the current site about four years ago.

Step back from the A635 between the Tollemache and Chutney Masala and you will find a hive of activity at unit four, Bank Mill.

All aspects of domestic and commercial upholstery are covered from scatter cushions to fixed seating, headboards to horse boxes, restaurant booths to canal boats.

The thriving company also offers made to measure curtains and blinds, modern and antique furniture restoration plus online shop.

“I have been self-employed for around 30 years and the business has grown so fast,” explained Andrew.

“Some of the lads who work for me now, I worked with not long after finishing the college furniture course.

“Robert came to work for me four or five years ago while Emily Simpson joined us as office manager.

“I’m always willing to take on board any new ideas and try to finance them.

“We have always specialised in re-covering high end three-piece suites but as customers got older,
I could see we needed to diversify and work more on the commercial side of the business.

“As a result we have links with a lot of shop fitting companies including Apex Shop Fitting and Joinery in Stalybridge who have been very good with us. Now we do an awful lot of work for offices, bars and restaurants.

“Going forward, we will have a spray booth for spraying and polishing furniture legs, we’ve got planning permission for new offices, and we’re looking to buy a machine to cut foam so we can do that in house.

“It’s all about trying to keep on top of the competition. We consider ourselves specialists in quality work.

“There is always someone out there who will do work cheaper. And some customers might go away for a lower price.

“But they always come back because they realise it’s not the same quality.

“We are passionate about our customers and the outstanding services we provide.

“We want to ensure they are happy with the products and services we deliver to them.”